Starmer to remain MP after leaving Downing Street: media

LONDON, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will remain a Member of Parliament (MP) after stepping down as prime minister, Sky News quoted his official spokesperson as saying on Wednesday.

The clarification came amid speculation that Starmer might also give up his parliamentary seat after leaving No. 10 Downing Street, which would trigger a by-election in his central London constituency.

Starmer announced in a speech on Monday that he would resign as leader of the governing Labour Party and set out a timetable for his departure from office.

He said he would ask Labour's National Executive Committee to set out a timetable, with nominations opening on July 9 and closing before Parliament's summer recess. If more than one candidate enters the race, the leadership contest will be completed in time for a new leader to be in place before Parliament returns in September.

Andy Burnham, then the mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield parliamentary by-election on June 19 and was sworn in on Monday afternoon as a Labour MP. He is widely regarded as the frontrunner to succeed Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister. Enditem